CHOIR NEWS ARCHIVE    (Concert schedule archive is above)
2005
20th June 2005
This is on on Saturday 18th June in Almut's house in 5 Bushfield Terrace (off Marlborough Rd), Ranelagh, Dublin 6.
Directions : Coming from Ranelagh, you turn left at Sandford Church and first left again. Coming from Donnybrook it is the third to the right. Parking is difficult. You might try Bushfield Ave on the other side of Marlborough Rd. Or walk, cycle, tram or bus it (11 , 13 ,44, to Ranelagh, 46A and 10 to Donnybrook). Phone: 4978149 or 087 9191559

14th March 2005
Download poster for RHA gig (pdf).

22nd February 2005
Chamber weekend is Fri 18th Feb 7.00pm to Sun 20th Feb 4.00pm. Only sign up if you fully available during the time slots and willing to put in a little advance preparation. Line tapes and music will be provided in advance if necessary.

As well as the standard 'High Graphics' website that you are used to, this website can now be viewed in a 'Low Graphics' format if you prefer plain layouts. It can also be viewed in a 'High Contrast' mode. This is useful for people with visual impairments who need larger and clearer text. To switch between modes, click the links in the top right or top left of the screen (the position of the links will depend on the viewing mode).

2004
23rd December 2004
What do Slovakia, Sweden and Australia have in common? Someone from each of these countries has visited this website! More incredibly interesting facts are available in the Cantóirí website activity statistics.

20th December 2004
The last rehearsal before Xmas (Monday December 13th) will be in a new location (download the map in pdf format). It is right beside Powerscourt Townhouse Centre. The address is "The Corner of Coppinger Row, where it meets Chatham Row and Clarendon St". I will be there to meet people. We will then vote on using this venue from next year on.

12th November 2004
Many thanks to Shangri-La for visiting us recently. Cantóirí sang with Shangri-La in Chief O'Neill's Hotel in Smithfield, before going to The Cobblestone pub for a couple more hours of chat and song. Fotos from their visit will be available soon.

Shangri-La is singing group of eight persons from The Netherlands. They sing a whole lot of songs from all over the world, including Spain, Italy, Russia, Croatia, Jamaica, Germany, France, Africa and a few Irish songs. Most of the songs they sing with four voices and guitar. The describe themselves as a group that "likes to perform, but also we like to sing and play for and with people just for fun".

15th October 2004
Auditions for tenors and bases will be held Monday 4th and 11th Oct at 7.30pm in Walton's News School of Music. Please contact Shane Diffily for more details.
This website can now be viewed successfully on W3C standards compliant PDAs and other mobile devices.

28th June 2004
Download the Cantóirí concert poster (pdf, 236kb). Looks great on your bedroom wall (or staff noticeboard) !

Stoke up the barbie mate !
An BBQ and rehearsal for the End of Year Gig will be held on June 20th in Daphne's house. Contact Laetitia for details.

The programme of songs for the End-of-Year concert in The Village is:
• Prende la Vela  (Colombia)
• Bullerengue  (Colombia)
• Haaveet  (Finland)
• Gleann Cam  (Ireland)
• Jeg Kan Se  (Denmark)
• Hun Har Mig Glemt  (Denmark)
• Róisín Dubh  (Ireland)
• The Blue Bird  (Ireland/England)
• La Plus Belle de la Ville  (France)
• Lenz  (Germany)
• La Conocchia  (Italy)
• Valzer delle Candele  (Italy)
• Nead na Lachan  (Ireland)
• Shto Mi e Milo  (Macedonia)
• Niška Banja  (Serbia)
• Dana-Dana  (Hungary)

INTERVAL

• Night Yoik  (Lapland)
• Be Still My Soul  (Finland)
• Suantraí na Maighdine  (Ireland)
• Rocky Road to Dublin  (Ireland)
• Australia nr.1  (Ireland/Australia)
• Esik Esö  (Hungary)
• Springtime  (England)
• Fair Phyllis  (England)
• There Was an Old Person of Cromer  (England/Hungary)
• I Gave Her Cake  (England)
• Mia Smirnia  (Greece)
• Szakura  (Sakura)
• Torah Orah  (Hewbrew)
• Cantemus  (Hungary)

10th June 2004
Thank You Langhus Kor !
Many thanks to Knut and all the singers in Langhus Kor for their visit to Dublin. Everyone involved had a wonderful time. There is no doubt that the memories of the night in Devitt's pub will stay with us for a long time. Perhaps Cantóirí will be able to return the favour in Oslo some time in the future !

Special thanks to Natasha for the excellent warm-up in the pub before the session began. It was a pleasure for Cantóirí to sing beneath her baton for a short time. Honourable mention also goes to Hege and Claus for coming to see Cantóirí sing in the News Ross Choral Competition on Sunday 23rd. Their support was greatly appreciated - as was their footballing and throwing skills on Ballinesker beach in the afternoon !! Some photos from the visit of Langus Kor to Dublin are now available.

24th May 2004
• Langhus Kor (a Norwegian Choir) will be visiting Dublin May 19th-22nd. The committee have arranged that we will do a joint performance with them at Club Sult in The Castle Inn, Lord Edward St. on Thursday 20th May. We performed there last year and got a great reception. Langhus Kor would also like to meet some of us for dinner on the evening of Wednesday May 19th. Contact Annmarie for more details.
• New Ross Choral Festival. Rooms have been booked for everyone in Portree House, Mary Street, Waterford (051 874574). Some are single and some will have to share. There is a flat rate of €30 including full Irish Breakfast.

5th April 2004
• A restaurant has been booked for Friday night in Belfast.
• The Archive has been modified to allow easier reading of past items.
• A restaurant has been booked for Friday night in Belfast for 9.00pm. It's Rain City on the Malone Road (at junction with Eglantine Avenue for the map anoraks), it's five mins walk from the accommodation and beside the Bot, Wellie Park etc.
• The collaboration with Cór Loch Lao in Belfast is going ahead as planned. We will do a joint performance on Saturday night 3rd April at the Cultúrlann MacAdam O'Fiach on the Falls Road. There may also be an afternoon performance on Sunday 4th April for invited guests (this has yet to be confirmed).
• Choir members can travel up on Friday night (entertainment is being arranged coutesy of Louise) or Saturday morning. Accommodation is in Queens Elms, Malone Road (student accommodation). It includes single rooms, ensuite. The cost is £18.40 pp per night (£15.70 with a valid student card). Read about us on www.art.ie.
The itinerary for Saturday is :
10.30 : Arrival at An Cultúrlann MacAdam O'Fiach with coffee and biscuits.
11.00 : Rehearsal.
12.00 : Stage Management.
12.15 : Rehearsal.
13.00 : 18.00 - Free time.
18.00 : Return to An Cultúrlann ready for warmup.
19.30 - 21.30 : Performance.
22.00 : Drinks at Botanic Inn, Malone Road (an area has been reserved for us).

The itinerary for Sunday is :
Lunchtime : Cheese & wine reception at An Cultúrlann.
18.15 : Last train leaves for Dublin.

Things to remember...
• We wear black clothes for Performances (not brown, navy or grey) !
• We sing from memory so learn your words !!
• Enjoy Yourselves !!!

21st March 2004
• Congratulations to Sinéad Nic Coitir on her win in the Hennessey Writers Award.

15th March 2004
• Thanks to Brian McKay and the committee for the recent Choral Workshop Day.

19th January 2004
• Many thanks to Ronan and the committee for helping to organise the recent performance in St.Columba's.
• Term fees are payable to Sean Carey (€50. €35 students/unwaged).
• Details about the UCD and Belfast performances are available on the 'News/Concerts' page.

2003
20th December 2003
A very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to all in Cantóirí ! Nollaig Shona dhaoibh go léir agus Ath-Bhliain faoi mhaise.
St Columba's gig is on Sunday January 11th. The plan is to meet at 3.30pm and practice until 5.30pm. Supper is in the Dining Hall at 5.30pm. 7-8pm is a warm up & quick run through. The service will begin at 8pm. Tea & cake is available after the service in the Warden's Drawing Room. You are advised to wear warm BLACK clothes for the service. (Supper is be provided but not all tastes will be catered for, so if you need something in particular to eat bring it with you.)
We start back after Christmas on Monday 12th January 2004.

20th November 2003
Comments from the Kilcoole Choral Festival are reproduced here :
• Sibelius : Drommarna
Suitably dark in effect, and the overall result was one of understatement. The chromatic lines proved problematic here and there, but the choir recovered for the F minor chord at the end. A different choice and one tackled with a measure of success here.
• Farmer : Fair Phyllis I saw
A positively lusty interpretation! The open, full sound inspired confidence. Watch upbeat entries. The first note was sometimes swallowed up by the surrounding lines. The word "Oh" at the last page begs for an unsubtle swelling and you could point the word "kissing" with a kick at the first letter. The programme indicated music-making of high standard here.

12th November 2003
• Rehearsal for Kilcoole Choral Festival is at 4pm Sharp in St Killian's Family Centre beside the Holy Rosary Church in Greystones, Co.Wicklow. The competition starts at 8pm in Kilcoole. Black must be worn. Lifts to/from are to be arranged amongst yourselves. Contact AnneMarie for directions. Celebratory dinner is held afterwards in Blackrock.
• Xmas party will be held in Schoolhouse Pub at 7pm on Saturday 13th December. €5 donations should be made to Daphne.
• Contact Mairead if you want to be included in the Chamber Group weekend.

5th November 2003
Sectional rehearsals for Altos and Basses will be held the week of November 3rd.
Candide rehearsals will be held November 10th at 6.30pm (venue to be arranged).

23rd October 2003
Terms fees are €50 (€35 concessions) payable to Sean Carey.
Line CDs are also available for €2 from Paul Brennan.

16th October 2003
Rehearsal for those involved in Candide is at 8pm, 17th October in the Rehearsal Hall of St Patrick's Cathedral.

26th September 2003
Please gather at 8.30pm in Lucia's house for practice this Saturday for the Fringe concert. Lucia's address is 79 Kenilworth Square, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Her phone number is 086 8931025. Remember, Cantóirí wear black for all gigs. A big welcome to all new Cantóirí members. Good to see so many new faces. Terms fees are €50 (€35 concessions) payable to Sean Carey. Line CDs are also available for the small fee of €2. Finally, give your name to Kathryn next Monday if you want to come to the first social dinner of the year, on Friday 3rd October in Pasta Fresca, Chatham St.

18th July 2003
Ann-Marie has distributed a letter outlining the results of the end-of-year survey. Please contact her if you require a copy. Also, contact her if you think you will not be able to return to Cantóirí next year. Finally, a letter of thanks has been received from the Special Olympics thanking Cantóirí for performing during the recent games.

3rd May 2003
Choir members - please gather at 7.45pm in Castle Inn for the Sult gig on Thursday. Full address in the news section. Also note that all sectional practices scheduled for this week have been cancelled.

10th April 2003
Music files for Der Augenblick, Dana, Dana and La Plus Belle in midi format are now available. Use these files to practice your section parts. The list will be added to over time.

23rd February 2003
Thanks to all who made the trip to Limerick to appear in Candide. It was all worth it in the end. Next stop Broadway ! A word of welcome also to the new members who have recently joined Cantóirí.

13th January 2003
Happy New Year to everyone. Cantóirí rehearsals recommence on Monday, January 13th 2003 at 7.45pm. The choir members list has now been updated and new choir photos are also available.

2002
15th December 2002
Thanks to all who came along to the Christmas concerts in Coolock and the Westbury Mall recently. It was a nice way to wrap up the year. Cantóirí rehearsals recommence on Monday, January 13th 2003 at 7.45pm. Until then a Merry Christmas to one and all, and best wishes for the New Year.

18th November 2002
A great weekend in Glendalough was made all the more sweet by winning second prize in the Kilcoole Choral Festival 2002, Sacred Music Competition. Well done to Mairéad and all who participated ! Not a bad start to the year.

18th September 2002
Choir members - please meet at SS Michael & John, East, Essex St, Temple Bar at 7.15pm sharp on Monday 23rd September for a pre-play run-through. Anyone who is interested can go along to the The Mission Hall, Lower Abbey St [opp. Wyne's Hotel] this Saturday at 11am for another run through the play. [Note:this is not obligatory]

15th September 2002
Auditions for Cantóirí be held September 30th from 8pm-10pm in Waltons School of Music, Sth Great Georges St. Dublin 2. Please contact Gavin Mee at 086 860 5052 for more details.

15th September 2002
Choir members - practice re-commences on Monday September 16th at 8pm in Waltons. An extra practice/rehearsal for Candide will be held between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday 17th in The Mission Hall, Lower Abbey St [opp. Wyne's Hotel].

24th August 2002
Thanks to all who came to Shane's birthday get-together on Friday 23rd ! Birthday drinks money came to €50. This will now be sent on to Amnesty International.

9th August 2002
To celebrate his birthday, Shane Diffily [tenor] is having a party at 8pm on Friday 23rd August in the upstairs lounge of The Bankers pub on Trinity St [near the Central Bank]. Contact Shane by email or text [087 6678490] for details. Hope to see you there !

30th July 2002
Ruth Egan (soprano) is opening an exhibition of her art work on Wednesday 31st July at 6pm in the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Fosters Place. All are welcome.

25th July 2002
Thanks to everyone who turned out to wish a fond farewell to Geoff and Essa in the Yamamori restaurant on Wednesday night. Great fun was had by all and we are sorry to see them go. But don't despair ! If you cannot bear to be parted from them you can stay in contact by email. Geoff's email is geoffpiggott@yahoo.com and Essa's email is essahedbor@yahoo.se

22nd July 2002
Geoff Piggot [Bass] returns to Tasmania at the end of this week. Essa Hedbor [Soprano] is also returning to Sweden this Thursday. Farewell dinner/drinks have been arranged for this Wednesday [24th July] at 8pm in the Yamamori restaurant, Georges St. If you are free to come along drop Shane an email or text [087 6678490].

17th July 2002
Many thanks to Daphne for a great BBQ at her place recently.

2nd July 2002
Choir members :: Daphne Hosford will have a BBQ at her house at 8pm on Saturday July 6th. All are welcome. Her address is 8 Poddle Green, Kimmage, Dublin 12. Contact Daphne at 087 973 8360.

27th June 2002
Rob D'Arcy and Jenny are having a BBQ this Saturday at Jenny's house in Trim, Co.Meath. All are welcome. Contact Rob for more details and directions - 087 233 4915.

26th June 2002
A great evening was had by all at The End of Year Concert in The Shelter last Sunday 23rd June. Both the choir and the individual performances were outstanding. It is no exaggeration to say we had the audience eating out of our hand ! A big word of thanks to the committee and everyone else who helped in preparing for the big night !

19th June 2002
Choir members - Only a few days to The Shelter gig ! The plan is to meet in Ronan's house this Sunday at 2.30pm for a pre-performance practice. Then everyone is to make their way to The Shelter for 6.30pm sharp. Ronan's address is 4 Orwell Park, Rathgar, Dublin 6. Remember black clothing only for the gig ! All ticket monies are to be forwarded to Daphne Hosford. Also, if anyone has tickets they know they cannot sell, please return them to Daphne so she can find other channels. Many thanks to Ronan for his wonderful hospitality at last Saturday's practice and BBQ. It was an unforgettable day, particularly for anyone who climbed the ladder !

12th June 2002
Choir members - There is a practice in Ronan's house this Saturday from 3pm onwards. The address is 4 Orwell Park, Rathgar, Dublin 6. Remember to bring some food/drink for the BBQ afterwards ! Note : This practice is not counted as obligatory. Tickets for The Shelter are now available. Contact Daphne Hosford for more details.

7th June 2002
Download a copy of the advertising flyer for The Shelter gig to email to your friends and family here. The programme of music for the Shelter gig has been finalised and is available here.

6th June 2002
Choir members - The plan for Glendalough is to meet the The Lodge Hostel at 4.30pm on Saturday. Please make your own arrangements for travelling down and back.

31st May 2002
Choir members - Individual practice sessions for each of the four parts are due to take place shortly. Please contact a committee member or Mairead for more details.

31st May 2002
Ciara has completed a great new Cantóirí logo, together with tickets, flyers and posters for the Shelter gig. Details regarding sales and distribution will be posted here soon.

21st May 2002
Choir members - Well done all for a great performance in New Ross ! The judges' comments will be posted here soon. Note - Money for New Ross is to be forwarded to Gavin Mee. Hostel fee is €15. Bus fee is €25. Please gather at 3pm this Saturday at the Bank of Ireland Centre for a pre-performance practice until 4pm. For performance times click here. The gigs will be followed by dinner in the Indian restaurant off Clarendon St at about 6.30pm.

14th May 2002
The gig scheduled for the Botanic Gardens will not be going ahead. In its place Ronan has arranged an extra practice/BBQ to be held in his house for Saturday 15th June.

14th May 2002
Choir members - The bus to New Ross leaves from the front of the Burlington Hotel, Leeson St at 2pm this Saturday. Please assemble outside the hotel at 1.30pm. Also, the gig in the Botanic Gardens will not be going ahead. In its place Ronan has scheduled an extra practice/BBQ to be held in his house for Saturday 15th June.

13th May 2002
Choir members - An extra practice has been scheduled for Thursday 16th May at 8pm in St.Patricks College, Drumcondra. Anyone who cannot attend should contact Ann-Marie.

2nd May 2002
Choir members - Ronan has a gig tonight in VooDoo Lounge to gather money to buy a cow for a Ugandan village [I kid you not !]. Also on the bill is Abie Philbin Bowman , Oyhin & Rats of the Shining Path. Kicks off at 9pm.

1st May 2002
Choir members - The date for the extra practice before New Ross will be posted here as soon as it is confirmed. Also anyone who wishes to help with arranging the gig in The Shelter should go along to the Library Bar in The Central Hotel, Exchequer St. next Tuesday at 7.00pm.

9th April 2002
Choir members ! Term fees are now payable. All monies to be forwarded to Gavin Mee. Also, a big welcome to the new singers who recently joined Cantóirí.

29th January 2002
Brian McKay, Conductor, undertakes a Choral Workshop with Cantóirí Choir on Sunday 7th April. Brian McKay is a graduate of the Royal College of Music in London and the Kodály Institute in Hungary. He studied conducting under Lawrence Leonard, János Fürst, Katalin Kiss and Peter Erdei. He was for many years Musical director of the Essex Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Club Choir, regularly broadcasting for the BBC. Since returning to settle in Ireland, Brian has become well known as a vocal coach in the fields of Opera, Song and Choral Music. He has given recitals with singers throughout Europe, coaches regularly in London and has been guest coach on the Opera course at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow. He has worked regularly as a repetiteur and musical director for Opera Theatre Company and Wexford Festival Opera. In 2002, he will be one of the international guest teachers to coach at the Liszt Academy in Budapest. Since 1993, Brian has been principal guest conductor of the Nairobi Orchestra in Kenya. Apart from giving concerts with the orchestra, he has worked with many Kenyan choirs and has been involved in wide-ranging educational projects. In 2001, he conducted Britten's Beggar's Opera for Opera Theatre Company and concerts with the Orchestra of St. Cecilia, Fishamble Voices, Enchiriadis Treis and the Nairobi Orchestra. In June 2002, Brian will conduct Lucia di Lammermoor for Castleward Opera and he has been invited to conduct the National Symphony Orchestra of Namibia during their 2002/2003 season. Also in 2002, Brian will conduct a workshop with one of Ireland's most vibrant and progressive choirs - Cantóirí based at the Walton's New School of Music, Dublin.